Heat's Wade excited about season, hall of champions nod

Thursday, September 17, 2015 7:19:00 AM America/Los_Angeles

Less than two weeks from the start of his 13th Heat training camp, Wade joined Jack Nicklaus and Chris Evert as enshrinees Wednesday at the 21st Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Sports Hall of Champions induction ceremony. And while the night was about looking back and celebrating the past, Wade couldn't help but sound excited what may loom this season.

Evert couldn't attend the event Wednesday. Wade and Nicklaus chatted on the red carpet, and the 11-time All-Star learned that Nicklaus is a Heat fan - and his wife Barbara is a bigger one. Nicklaus told a story how he once called home during a trip to Brazil, his wife answered and asked him to hold because 6 seconds were left in a Heat game.

Nicklaus has been a season ticket-holder for Miami's four pro teams - the Dolphins, the Florida Panthers, the Marlins and the Heat - for decades. He joked that when the Heat got Wade, he had to give up those seats because of the success he brought to the city.

The Heat missed the playoffs for just the second time in Wade's career last season. Only eight active players have more points than Wade, who will likely move into the NBA's Top 50 all-time regular-season scorers early this season.

"Sometimes you don't get a break and then you keep going with life, life keeps going," Wade said. "So to get a break from basketball for a while - not saying I wanted to be out of the playoffs, but once it was reality that we weren't getting in - you've got to say it wasn't meant to be, there was a reason for this. And hopefully that reason shows its face this year."